K.G. ANTONY Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS writ petition is filed seeking for a direction to quash one of the conditions in Ext. P4 tender notification and for other consequential reliefs.

(2.) THE facts involved in this case would disclose that as part of the initiative of the Government to set up marketing infrastructure for agricultural produces, it was decided to set up agricultural urban wholesale markets. One among such market is developed in Nettoor, Ernakulam District, which has facilities to handle more than 2500 tones of agricultural produce. It is said that the area has all necessary infrastructure required for farmers to keep track of the daily prices and other requirements. Petitioner's complaint is with reference to Ext. P.4 notification. It is inter alia contended that as per Ext. P4 notification No. 04/2012, tenders are invited for four number of stalls. The last date of tender was 18.2.2013. The measurement of the shop rooms was 8 x 6 sq. meters. Licence was to be granted for a period of 11 months. According to the petitioner, there was no necessity to invite tenders for the four shop rooms as a single unit. The intention is, according to the petitioner, mala fide to enable the award only to a few persons, especially giant commission agents. Persons like the petitioner will not get opportunity to participate in the tender. Their requirement is much less and therefore the petitioner seeks for cancellation of Ext. P4 tender notification to the extent mentioned above.

(3.) I have heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Pleader appearing for the respondents.